Chief Operations Officer - Center for Research Libraries

Another Source • Chicago, IL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Another Source is partnering with the Center for Research Libraries (CRL) to find their next Chief Operating Officer. This is a strategic leadership role, serving as the deputy to the President & CEO, and overseeing enterprise-wide operations for a global nonprofit that supports nearly 200 research institutions. The COO will be instrumental in shaping the organization's future by developing scalable systems, enhancing operational excellence, and driving strategic initiatives across finance, HR, administration, and overall organizational operations. While library experience is not required, CRL seeks an accomplished operational leader with a proven track record of partnering with executive leadership and managing complex, mission-driven organizations. Candidates from higher education, associations, nonprofits, philanthropy, foundations, and other organizational leadership backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The position is based in Chicago, Illinois, and relocation assistance is available. CRL, founded in 1949, is a nonprofit research library and member-owned consortium dedicated to helping research institutions achieve shared goals. It focuses on preserving the scholarly record, expanding access to research materials, negotiating licensing agreements, reducing institutional risk, and building essential infrastructure. CRL boasts extensive collections and is entering a new phase of growth with a strategic framework focused on modernization, technology, resilience, and expanded shared infrastructure. The COO will report directly to the President & CEO and will translate the organization's vision into coordinated execution. This role is focused on organizational maturation, building management systems, operational discipline, staff capacity, and cross-functional alignment to achieve consistent results. The COO will operate at the intersection of mission, finance, technology, human resources, organizational development, collections operations, and governance, overseeing a broad operational portfolio and collaborating with various internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• At least ten years of progressively responsible executive leadership experience with significant responsibility for nonprofit operations, administration, finance, or a comparable portfolio.
• At least five years of experience leading senior managers or multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated success designing and implementing organization-wide operating plans, systems, policies, and accountability structures.
• Strong financial leadership experience, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, long-range planning, internal controls, and presenting information to executive leaders or governing boards.
• Experience leading or overseeing human resources, workforce planning, employee relations, organizational development, and employment-law compliance.
• Experience managing enterprise risk, compliance, procurement, contracts, insurance, facilities, technology, or related operational functions.
• Proven ability to translate strategic vision into practical execution, measurable priorities, and sustainable organizational results.
• Experience partnering effectively with governing boards, executive leadership teams, external advisors, and diverse stakeholders.
• A track record of leading organizational change, improving cross-functional collaboration, and building high-performing teams.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate or professional degree.
• Experience within higher education, research institutions, cultural organizations, associations, consortia, or other mission-driven environments.
• Experience working within a membership organization or shared-service model.
• Experience overseeing information technology, facilities, capital projects, or enterprise systems.
• Familiarity with outsourced or fractional finance models and managing strategic external partners.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the President’s chief operational partner, translating CRL’s strategic vision into coordinated execution across finance, human resources, technology, collections operations, procurement, facilities, and organizational administration.
• Lead the operational modernization of a financially strong organization entering its next phase of growth, strengthening the systems, cross-functional discipline, and management infrastructure needed to advance CRL’s 2027–2030 strategic framework.
• Build organizational capacity by coaching leaders, clarifying decision rights, strengthening accountability, and improving planning and execution across the enterprise.
• Provide executive leadership for internal teams responsible for collections access and technology, collections acquisition and licensing, and human resources.
• Serve as the primary executive relationship manager for CRL’s external accounting and finance partner, including its fractional CFO and accounting team, as well as outside human resources and labor counsel.
• Oversee annual operating budgets of approximately $7–9 million, funded primarily through member dues and program revenue.
• Help steward CRL’s strong financial position, including substantial operating reserves and more than $10 million in long-term investment assets.
• Provide executive oversight for more than $100 million annually in licensing transactions managed on behalf of member institutions, ensuring disciplined cash management, strong internal controls, and operational efficiency.
• Partner with the President and Board to strengthen business intelligence, long-range planning, financial stewardship, enterprise risk management, and organizational performance.
• Improve coordination among program, operations, technology, finance, and member-service functions so that shared priorities move efficiently from discussion to sustained execution.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts that create scalable processes, modernize systems, strengthen communication, and improve the employee and member experience.
• Support thoughtful organizational growth by partnering with the President and directors to identify the staffing, systems, and operational capabilities to advance CRL’s strategic priorities.
• Help CRL evaluate and implement practical uses of emerging technologies, including automation, improved data practices, and artificial intelligence in library and organizational operations.
• Preserve the professional expertise and member ownership that make CRL distinctive while helping the organization become more integrated, resilient, and effective.

Benefits

• Executive-level paid vacation, sick leave, and personal time
• Eleven paid holidays, including two floating holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-paid basic life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Retirement benefits, including an employer-funded Defined Contribution Retirement Plan and a Tax-Deferred Annuity Retirement Plan
• A mission-driven, collaborative culture supporting scholarship and research worldwide
• Relocation assistance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive